Catheter Pose Tracking for Anatomical Phase Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking anatomical movement, particularly in surgical procedures, face challenges in accurately determining phases of motion without exposing patients and staff to radiation, and in synchronizing cardiac and respiratory cycles with imaging, leading to mismatched images and registration issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a catheter with trackers like EM or IMU sensors that provide continuous positional and orientational data, allowing for the determination of anatomical phases and synchronization with cardiac and respiratory cycles, enabling improved tracking, imaging, and image reconstruction by correlating sensor data with specific phases of the heartbeat and breathing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation-based imaging methods are used to track anatomical movement, then imaging capability is improved, but patient and staff exposure to radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiation-based imaging systems with a mechanical tracking system using electromagnetic trackers and inertial measurement units attached to the catheter. This substitution eliminates radiation exposure while maintaining the ability to track catheter position and orientation through electromagnetic fields and motion sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic trackers and inertial measurement units as intermediary devices that mediate between the catheter and the imaging system. These trackers serve as intermediaries that provide positional data without requiring direct radiation-based imaging of the catheter, thereby reducing radiation exposure.
2Measurement precision
If continuous tracking of catheter position is implemented, then tracking accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into distinct functional components: electromagnetic trackers for position data, inertial measurement units for motion data, and a processing system that correlates these separate data streams with cardiac cycle phases. This segmentation manages complexity by dividing the overall tracking function into manageable subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional processing system that simultaneously handles electromagnetic tracking data, inertial sensor data, cardiac cycle correlation, and phase determination. This universal processor manages multiple data types and functions within a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity compared to separate specialized systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If image acquisition is synchronized with cardiac phases, then image quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the tracking system continuously monitors catheter position and correlates it with cardiac cycle phases detected from the motion data. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust image acquisition timing based on real-time cardiac phase detection, improving registration accuracy while managing complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the tracking data to identify and characterize the cardiac cycle phases before initiating synchronized image acquisition. By pre-processing the motion data to establish phase boundaries and characteristics, the system prepares the synchronization parameters in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time coordination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances the accuracy of anatomical tracking, reduces radiation exposure, and improves image synchronization and registration, leading to better placement of implantable devices and more precise surgical procedures by correlating motion phases with cardiac and respiratory cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a tracker for tracking a pose of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
the tracker comprises at least one of an inertial measurement unit tracker, an electromagnetic tracker
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining one or more phases of anatomical movement are provided. A catheter positioned in an anatomical element may be tracked using a tracker configured to track a pose of the catheter. Sensor data corresponding to a plurality of pose information of the catheter may be received from the tracker. One or more phases of motion of the anatomical element may be determined based on the plurality of pose information. An image may be received at a target phase of the one or more phases.